Councilman Peter Koo was elected to the New York City Council in November 2009. Peter Koo immigrated to America from Hong Kong in 1971. He worked minimum wage jobs at Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dunkin Donuts to put himself through the University of New Mexico - College of Pharmacy, where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree. Peter Koo founded and became CEO and President of the Starside Pharmacy chain located in Flushing, Queens.

As a local businessman and community activist, he has tirelessly fought for the needs of the residents who live in his home community and has become one of Flushing’s foremost community activists. Peter has served as the Chairman of Program Services for the Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) and President of the Flushing Chinese Business Association.

Prior to taking office, Peter Koo was an active member of Community Board 7, representing Flushing, Whitestone, Bay Terrace and College Point; he has served as an advisor of the Queens General Hospital Community Advisory Board; Treasurer, Founder and Trustee of the LaGuardia Community College Foundation; the Flushing Lions Club, Flushing Rotary Club and the American Cancer Society.

He is also President of the Peter Koo Community Charitable Organization. Peter’s recent philanthropy includes a $100,000 donation to LaGuardia Community College, and 20 wheelchairs to Elmhurst Hospital. Throughout the years, he has also donated generously to several local senior centers.

He has been affectionately been called the “Mayor” of Flushing, because of his involvement in civics, his accessibility to the public and for his philanthropic endeavors.

Peter is married to his wife Bernadette for 26 years and has two children, Timothy and Tiffany.